Are private vacation rentals causing hotel bookings to plummet?

There is nothing to stop the savvy entrepreneur from turning their Spain vacation rental into a unique boutique hotel. With short-term rental websites assisting in this process it has never been easier for vacant properties to make a substantial rental income. Many tourists are turning to independent holiday rental accommodations rather than hotels for sheer flexibility, plus if a large party is traveling together, it makes financial sense to book a six-bedroom villa rather than six costly hotel rooms.

Holiday rental accommodations from websites such as Airbnb are doubling in rentals each year as hotel bookings remain stagnant, increasing by just a fraction. It is clear to see from the rapid success of such holiday rental websites that the cost and flexibility of renting an independent property is becoming increasingly popular.

Not only do visitors gain the opportunity to immerse themselves in local cultures in ways that hotels don’t allow, but they also are not constricted to mealtimes, price supplements for single or multiple travelers, and have the flexibility to live as they choose.

If you decide that you would like to make an income from renting out your vacation villa in Barcelona but don’t know how to begin, it’s always good to do a little preliminary research. With bookings of hotels subsiding and more people looking at renting a vacation villa, there has never been a better time to make the transition.

If you only travel to your Catalonia villa twice a year, consider letting it out especially during peak season. Much of your annual mortgage could potentially be covered by your rental property. Obviously there are things to consider such as cleaning, property management, and insurance, but a friendly rental agent will be able to keep you on the right track with off-season necessities.

By the year 2020 there will be a tipping point where independent holiday lettings will overshadow hotel bookings. Don’t miss out on the rental boom if you think you may like to buy a house in Spain as it’s as good a time as any to buy to let!